Why does this time of year always feel as though someone hit the fast-forward button? Is it the holiday frenzy or the dash to wrap up year-end tasks? Whatever it is, we're here to make every second count!

This week, we've got a treat for you – a fantastic free plugin that can whip up video summaries and save you time faster than you can say 'binge-watch.' We're also stirring up the perfect holiday spirits with a virtual bartender, showing you how to stand tall with an AI posture trainer, and exploring the magic of AI in crafting children's stories. Plus, “AI in the News.” 

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Productivity

Short on time and tired of watching long YouTube videos? We're always on the hunt for practical AI tools that can make our work and life a bit easier. Now there’s no need to sit through an entire video – you can let Merlin AI do the work for you!

Merlin, a Google Chrome plugin powered by ChatGPT, has rapidly gained a million users in just a year. Among its many features, today, we're focusing on its remarkable ability to generate video summaries almost instantly.

How it works: You can easily access Merlin (free!) from its website or the Chrome Web Store. After signing up and installing Merlin, you'll find a small jigsaw puzzle icon to the right of your Chrome browser's address bar. Click it, and the enchantment begins!

We missed a "60 Minutes" segment on quantum computing last Sunday that we wanted to see but didn’t have time to watch. No problem! Find it on YouTube, click on Merlin, and a friendly chatbot pops up, ready to help. Just copy and paste the video URL into the chat-bar, and voilà! Your video summary appears almost instantly.

Hot tip: We discovered that you can easily share your 'chat summary' with others using a custom link. Plus, Merlin keeps a convenient archive of your video summary chats for easy access.

Merlin isn't limited to videos; it can also summarize lengthy articles, assist with email drafting, and more. There's a free version with daily credits, or if you're really keen on it, there are premium plans for unlimited summaries and additional features.

Read the fine print: Since Merlin is a browser extension, it's a good idea to review its privacy and terms of conditions if you have any concerns about privacy or data issues. Happy summarizing!

AI’s Cocktail Connoisseur

The holidays are here and ‘tis the season to be shaken, stirred, and surprised!

Whether you're hosting a cozy gathering or having a quiet night by the fireplace, one thing that always adds to the festive spirit is a delicious cocktail. But what if you're out of creative ideas or simply want to try something new? Enter BarGPT, your virtual bartender extraordinaire, ready to craft original cocktail recipes that will dazzle your taste buds.

Once you sign up, (email only, no credit card needed) you get the first three customized cocktail orders free. BarGPT prompts you to be as creative as you like so we tried a simple one: Create an original creamy, sweet and rich cocktail with rum that works well during the winter months.

Within a few seconds, we were treated to recipe for “Winter’s Embrace” — a cocktail “that embodies the coziness and indulgence of the chilly season with hints of chocolate and spice mingled with the tropical notes of rum.” Included were these ingredients:

• 2 oz Aged Dark Rum

• 1 oz White Crème de Cacao

• 1 oz Heavy Cream

• 1/2 oz Cinnamon Syrup

• 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters

• Grated Nutmeg (for garnish)

• Cinnamon Stick (for garnish)

• Orange Peel Twist (for garnish)

BarGPT gave us clear step-by-step instructions: mix aged dark rum, white crème de cacao, heavy cream, cinnamon syrup, and orange bitters in a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 15-20 seconds, then strain it into a chilled snifter glass. Top it off with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg, a cinnamon stick, and a twist of orange peel.

We also tried ordering a non-alcoholic holiday drink, this time with sparkling apple juice, orange and pineapple juice, ginger and mint. With over 14,000 cocktail creations to date, BarGPT continually tracks which ones receive the highest approval from actual customers.

Health & Wellness

Calling fellow desk warriors! Tired of feeling pain in your lower back or shoulders after a long day at work or your home office?

Smart tech and AI-powered wearables are rapidly gaining in popularity. The UPRIGHT GO 2™ is a posture trainer for your back, and it's here to rescue you from the dreaded slouch.

Crafted from super-comfy medical grade silicone, the smart tech device is like a gentle hug for your upper back that won't leave any marks. You can also ditch the adhesive and wear it with a stylish necklace.

How it works: When you start slouching, the Upright Go 2 gives you a friendly little buzz to remind you to straighten up. The GO 2 uses two built in gyroscope sensors for more precise training and accuracy, whether you're parked at your desk, strolling, or doing some light yoga moves. And it's got a free app that hooks you up with personalized training plans, progress tracking, and daily stats.

On a full charge, the Go 2 can keep you standing tall for up to 12 days, based on a recommended usage of 3 hours per day. And while it's splash-proof enough to handle sweat and rain, don’t think about swimming or taking a bath with it.  

The Pro Kit costs $95 with add-ons available. We haven’t tried it yet, but good to know there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can buy it directly from the Upright site as well as Amazon. We recommend reading the reviews before you purchase.

Creative Pursuits

Looking for a holiday gift for the little ones in your life?

Now you can unleash your inner child and create personalized children’s books. With childbook.ai, you’re in control, creating characters and worlds that spring directly from your imagination. Whether you're a parent, a grandparent, teacher, or an aspiring author, this AI-powered story generator empowers you to craft your own children's books in just minutes.

How it works: with a simple title and short description, childbook.ai will conjure up a story that's as unique as your pint-size audience.

• Visually appealing AI-generated illustrations

• Canva integration for unlimited editing

• Text-to-speech functionality with a single click

• The final product will be available as a webpage and downloadable PDF format

• You’ll have full ownership of your AI masterpiece with the option of printing, sharing or even selling it!

Pricing ranges from $2.50 per book (8 pages) to bulk (10 books for $15).

True confession: we have not tried this AI-product yet, so let us know if you do. We think it might be a great way to introduce the child in your life to storytelling and spark their own imagination.

As with so many sites, there isn’t a toll-free number for human interaction if there’s an issue. Contact is via the website or email with an aim to respond within 24 hours.

AI in the News (in case you missed it)

• Who does ChatGPT help on the job? Read here.

• AI is bringing new options to breast cancer screenings. Read here.

• How AI is transforming music. Read here.

• Researchers have developed an AI tool to detect fake wine. Read here.

• AI Tipping Point. Watch the Curiosity Stream full documentary here.

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See you next week!

Here.Now.AI Editorial team: Lori, Justin and Lisa